(T) Strut to control arm issue

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I have fitted new front struts and 'control arms' ( the pressed steel uprights that hold the lower ball joint) to my 1991 4x4 .

I noticed the M12 bolts that came out were slightly too big for the holes in the new control arms. Turns out they are not exactly M12 and so I can only guess for some reason a previous owner had fitted oversize bolts. Seems odd. No matter, I found some used originals and tightened them up to specified torque in manual (44ft/lbs). However the strut and arm still have play/movement , noticable when the car is driven. Alarming as it changes the camber drastically. Tightening the bolts to 140ft/lb+ eventually solves the problem , but that doesn't seem quite right.

Question: Were there different arms and/or struts for more than one bolt size? (I can't get on Eper anywhere to check. )

I definitely have 4x4 control arms.

Bolts don't appear to use washers, so just relies on nylocs to stay tight. Unusual.

Anyone else had this experience?

(I seem to remember VW Golf had similar design but with eccentric bolt to adjust camber.)

Those thick washers are for the M10 bolt that holds the lower arm to the body of the car, nothing to do with the upright I believe.

I couldn't give you a torque figure for the bolts but fully tight with a standard size 1/2 inch ratchet should be fine.

The only problem I have had with the carrier moving is on lifted cars where the top hole needs to be slotted to get the correct camber value. And then it has only moved after some serious off roading, never just driving on the road.